Australia's Easy Reading New Car News Home | News | Road Tests Kia Optima Si NEWS INDEX:   Kia Kia's new Optima released 15th November, 2015 Refined new interior - higher quality materials; More space for every occupant; 50% stronger bodyshell; a range of new active safety technologies; Smooth ride and more agile handling; New high-powered GT model with 2.0-litre Turbo-GDI engine; wireless phone charging ..... more Testing time in Death Valley 18th September, 2015 Located deep within the Californian Mojave Desert, the Proving Ground demonstrates the lengths to which Kia goes to ensure the quality and durability of every new car it builds, including the all-new Sportage ..... more Kia Sportage: next generation revealed 28th August, 2015 Entering its fourth-generation, the all-new Kia Sportage features a bold, progressive design, with the vehicle’s designers providing a sense of power and agility from every angle ..... more Kia Sportage: the next generation 18th August, 2015 Entering its fourth-generation, the all-new Sportage features a bold, progressive design, which exudes power and agility from every angle. The dynamic compact SUV styling provides visual harmony out of the tension between bold, precise feature lines and dramatically-sculptured bodywork ..... more Kia Picanto coming to Australia 18th August, 2015 Indicative pricing is thought to be around the $14,990* mark which will allow Picanto to provide a starting-point model to the Kia range ..... more Kia Rio Sport and SLi arrive 10th August, 2015 The Rio line-up is back to full strength with the arrival of the high-grade SLi and Sport models to complete the range ..... more Kia Sorento: new generation released 5th June, 2015 Third generation Sorento arrives in Australia; All-new bodyshell improves ride, handling and crash safety; Improvements to NVH; 5-star ANCAP rating: Sat nav and reversing camera standard; Priced from $40,990* for the Si petrol through to $55,990* for the Platinum diesel ..... more ROAD TEST Kia Optima SLi 24th April, 2015 Kia Novo Concept Car 6th April, 2015 Modern, coupé-inspired 4-door design for Kia’s latest concept; Minimalist interior design with high-tech features; Powered by 1.6-litre turbo GDI engine matched with a new seven-speed DCT; Hints at the design direction for Kia’s next-generation compact cars ..... more Kia Optima: next generation to debut in April 22nd March, 2015 Current generation Kia Optima became a catalyst for the brand’s tremendous growth and has been the company’s best-selling vehicle in the U.S. for three years running ..... more ROAD TEST Kia Pro_cee'd GT Tech 5th March, 2015 Kia Carnival: new generation released locally 1st March, 2015 Sleek new model blends style and practicality; Stronger body shell for improved safety, refinement, ride and handling; Versatile interior; Enhanced petrol and diesel engines; all-new third generation Kia Carnival has arrived! ..... more ROAD TEST Kia Soul 22nd February, 2015 Kia Rio updated 1st February, 2015 The entry-level S, new S Premium and Si models gain a new front and rear bumper design, new grille pattern, new centre fascia and audio unit design, and metallic look highlights while retaining all the safety and convenience features from the outgoing models ..... more Top of page Kia Sorento earns 5 stars with EuroNCAP 5th December, 2014 Kia’s new SUV scored highly in all four areas (90 per cent Adult Occupant Protection, 83 per cent Child Occupant Protection, 67 per cent Pedestrian Protection and 71 per cent Safety Assist) thanks to an even stronger body shell and a wide array of passive and active safety equipment ..... more Kia introduce seven year warranty, capped price servicing and roadside assist 28th October, 2014 Australia’s first comprehensive unlimited kilometre seven year warranty coupled to a seven year capped-price service programme and seven year roadside assist give Kia buyers even more reason to smile ..... more Kia Sorento: third generation debuts 29th September, 2014 New design for third-generation Kia Sorento; All-new bodyshell improves ride, handling and crash safety; Improvements to NVH and a step-change in interior quality and design; 3.3-litre petrol or the 2.2-litre turbo diesel for Australia ..... more Kia Sorento third generation revealed 11th August, 2014 The front of new Sorento features a larger, more upright ‘tiger-nose’ grille, with a distinctive three-dimensional diamond pattern, and long swept-back headlamps ..... more ROAD TEST Kia Cerato KOUP Turbo 10th August, 2014 Kia Sorento 3rd generation to debut later this month 6th August, 2014 Sorento’s cabin will raise the bar for luxury in its segment, thanks to a modern, wrap-around dashboard, high quality soft-touch materials and a range of advanced on-board technologies ..... more Kia expand Cerato line-up 1st July, 2014 Sitting between the S and the Si grades, the Cerato S Premium will add satellite navigation, rear view camera, 7-inch touch screen, 16-inch alloys, auto headlamp control, DVD player and more for a price-leading $24,590* ..... more Kia Sportage updated 12th June, 2014 Across the petrol range the new Sportage will benefit from an upgrade to the more sophisticated and efficient 2.0-litre GDI powerplant. The popular 2.0-litre variable geometry turbo diesel R-Series will continue in the AWD models ..... more Kia's new MPV to debut this month 6th April, 2014 Kia will unveil an all-new mid-size multi-purpose vehicle at the 2014 New York Motor Show in two weeks ..... more Kia pro_cee’d GT arrives 2nd April, 2014 Powered by a turbocharged 1.6-litre direct-injection petrol engine, the pro_cee’d GT guarantees engaging performance for a sports coupe designed not to be the most powerful in class but with everyday usability and civility in mind. It can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 7.7 seconds ..... more Kia Optima updated 20th January, 2014 Refining the Optima’s sculpted appearance, Kia’s Frankfurt-based design team improved the vehicle’s front and rear fascia and the brand’s signature tabbed grille. The vehicle’s bold stance and aerodynamic shape are further accentuated by updated rear diffusers and a sweeping boot lid ..... more ROAD TEST Kia Sorento Platinum 12th January, 2014 Top of page Kia Cerato Koup next generation released 4th November, 2013 The top-of-the-line Koup’s 1.6-litre GDi twin-scroll Turbo, the first forced induction petrol engine for Kia Motors Australia, underscores Kia’s determination to keep the customer satisfied ..... more Kia Cerato hatchback 27th October, 2013 For Australia, since its belated launch in 2010, the dominant member of the Cerato line-up has been the stylish five-door hatchback - accounting for as much as 70 per cent of all Cerato sales in Australia ..... more Kia Sportage Series II released 1st August, 2013 The Sportage Series II, on sale now, adds HID headlamps, static cornering lamps, aero blade front wipers, partial leather seat trims, rear seat warmer, front wiper de-icer and an Active ECO mode on the diesel automatic ..... more ROAD TEST Kia Sportage (diesel/auto) 13th June, 2013 Kia's all-new Rondo released 7th June, 2013 Priced from just $29,990*, Kia's third-generation Rondo (people mover) is now available in Australia ..... more ROAD TEST Kia Optima 24th April, 2013 Kia's new Cerato sedan released 21st April, 2013 It features an all-new re-engineered body shell structure and will also boast improved quality, upgraded equipment, a more spacious cabin with enhanced quality, improved refinement and an upgraded powertrain line-up ..... more Kia Soul for 2014 9th April, 2013 Riding on a new chassis that is stiffer, longer and wider, the all-new Soul has grown up without losing its edge, allowing for more passenger and cargo room while reducing NVH levels ..... more Kia CUB concept debuts in Seoul 31st March, 2013 The exterior styling of the Kia CUB highlights that it is both sleek and small, with a cheerful 'face' and a daring 'character'. Design features instigated by Peter Schreyer for the 2007 Kia Kee 2+2 concept are revisited in a new form ..... more Kia pro_cee’d GT turbo coming to Australia 4th March, 2013 Powered by Kia’s high-technology 1.6-litre GDI engine boosted by a twin-scroll turbocharger, the pro_cee’d GT puts out 150kW and 265Nm of torque. It come with a six-speed manual gearbox and is capable of a 0-100 km/h sprint in 7.7 seconds ..... more Kia Sorento's improved towing solution 17th February, 2013 This heavy duty kit will allow for an increased maximum down ball weight of 150kg whilst the maximum braked towing capacity will remain the same at 2,000 kg for automatic and 2,500 kg for manual vehicles ..... more Kia Cerato 5-door debuts 8th February, 2013 Lower, longer and wider, the all-new Forte/Cerato 5-door combines European style with the practicality of a hatchback ..... more ROAD TEST Kia Sorento 3rd February, 2013 Top of page Kia's new Cerato revealed 29th November, 2012 It features an all-new body shell, upgraded equipment, a host of additional convenience and safety features, a more spacious cabin with enhanced quality, improved refinement and an upgraded powertrain line-up that delivers class-leading performance and fuel economy ..... more Kia Sorento updated 29th October, 2012 Kia’s successful and recently improved Sorento SUV is now available in Australia. The wide-ranging changes include a re-engineered body shell, improved ride, handling and refinement, additional convenience and safety features ..... more Kia introduces "Capped Price" servicing 7th September, 2012 The new Kia Connect programme is the only one in Australia which offers the capped-price service across a five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty with annual service intervals ..... more New look Kia Rondo for 2013 25th July, 2012 With a completely fresh, sleek, cab-forward design, lower roofline, longer wheelbase, larger wheels (up to 18-inch) and chrome beltline accent, the new Rondo has been conceived around the theme ‘responsive space’ ..... more New look for 2013 Kia Cerato 25th July, 2012 The current Cerato was Kia’s global best-seller in 2011 with more than 445,000 examples sold ..... more Wheel chair accessible rental vehicles 6th July, 2012 Europcar Australia and Automobility Pty Ltd have announced an Australian first partnership by placing Kia Grand Carnival wheelchair accessible vehicles in Europcar’s local rental fleet ..... more Kia Sorento for 2013 19th June, 2012 Kia’s designers have included new headlamps with LED positioning lights, a new tailgate with LED rear combination lamps, new bumpers (front and rear) with vertical-axis fog lights and a larger area of body-colour surface, and an expanded choice of wheels to include larger diameter alloys ..... more Kia Cerato eXtra limited edition 30th March, 2012 The Kia Cerato eXtra 6-speed manual is priced at $21,490* while the 6-speed automatic is $23,490*. That represents a premium of just $1,250 over the comparative Si model hatch and $1,500 for the sedan ..... more Kia finds satnav 15th March, 2012 Kia is joining many other brands by offering Satellite Navigation ..... more Kia Rio gains 3 & 4 door variants 16th February, 2012 Tasked with the job of improving upon the international success of the previous generation, Kia’s engineers and designers have designed a new Rio in three body styles, combining European flair and Australian drivability priced from $15,290* ..... more Top of page Kia Soul updated for 2012 6th December, 2011 At the heart of the new model range is the all-new 2.0-litre MPI petrol engine from the Nu 'family' of 4-cylinder engines. The new Nu brings a sparkling 122 kW and 200 Nm to the table and takes to three the engine choices for the 2012 Kia Soul range ..... more Kia at SEMA 2011 2nd November, 2011 This year’s show cars were inspired by Kia’s growing sports marketing portfolio that includes basketball, golf, motor sports and more ..... more Kia Rio 5-door hatch released 14th October, 2011 The new Rio, which is available in S, Si and SLi trim levels, combines European flair, Australian drivability with Korean spice and starts at just $16,290*. The range topping SLi comes standard with LED daytime running lights and 17-inch alloy wheels fitted with a low profile, high performance 205/45/R17 Continental tyre as standard, making it one of the most feature packed vehicles in its class ..... more Kia Optima Hybrid gains Guinness World Record 16th September, 2011 Drivers Wayne Gerdes and Chris Bernius successfully drove a factory-standard 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid sedan through a 7,899 mile route across America and achieved an incredible average fuel consumption of 3.64 l/100 km ..... more Kia GT Concept 13th September, 2011 Although work on the Kia GT concept first started in November 2010, the idea of a powerful rear-wheel drive Kia saloon had been percolating in the minds of Kia’s European designers for some time ..... more Kia Optima Hybrid looking for record low fuel consumption 26th August, 2011 The aim is to set a new record for lowest fuel consumption (in a petrol hybrid car) while driving through all 48 continental states of America ..... more Kia's surprise sports sedan 21st August, 2011 This rear-wheel drive four-door sports sedan combines sleek proportions with a sophisticated and elegant four-seater cabin ..... more Kia Grand Carnival updated 2nd August, 2011 Australia’s most popular people mover under $55,000, the Kia Carnival, has just received an upgrade resulting in four long wheelbase models, Bluetooth across the range and the introduction of the legendary “R-series” CRDi turbo diesel engine to the line-up ..... more Self-Catering Holiday Accommodation in Denmark, WA ..... more Kia Soul for 2012 17th May, 2011 The globally successful Soul is fine-tuned for 2012 with a significant number of technology and powertrain enhancements to deliver more power and improved fuel efficiency ..... more Kia Rio sedan revealed 24th April, 2011 Kia Motors America (KMA) has celebrated the world premiere of the all-new 2012 Rio sub-compact sedan at the New York Motor Show ..... more Kia K2 for China 19th April, 2011 Kia Motors and its Chinese joint venture, Dongfeng Yueda Kia, unveiled the K2 B-segment sedan today at the 2011 Shanghai Motor Show in China. Based on the platform of the all-new Rio ..... more Kia Naimo Electric Concept 1st April, 2011 The third electric vehicle design to be unveiled by Kia Motors Corporation in a year, the 3.9-metre long Naimo concept explores the practicalities of introducing a zero-emissions, five-door, four-seater city car into a future niche market ..... more ROAD TEST Kia Sportage 22nd March, 2011 Kia Picanto: more details 17th March, 2011 Longer than the previous model, and with an extended wheelbase, new Picanto promises more passenger comfort and increased cargo space. Offered for the first time with a choice of 5-door and 3-door body styles, it is set to completely redefine its position as one of the most competitive vehicles in the global ‘city car’ category ..... more Next Kia Rio revealed 3rd March, 2011 In addition to appealing to consumers’ aesthetic tastes, the new Kia Rio will spearhead the company’s efforts to significantly grow its market share across the globe by offering potential owners industry-leading environmental credentials ..... more Kia Rio: the next generation 11th February, 2011 The new model features a wheelbase extended by 70 mm (to 2,570 mm) and promises greater passenger space and comfort, together with increased cargo capacity to 292 litres (hatchback) and 390 litres (sedan). Exterior dimensions changes include: +55 mm (overall length), -15 mm (height) and +25 mm (overall width) to enhance the feeling of sportiness ..... more Kia Picanto: more details 24th January, 2011 Making its global premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in March, new Picanto has been redesigned and re-engineered with stand-out styling that conveys a sense of solidity and maturity. Longer than the previous model, and with an extended wheelbase, new Picanto promises more passenger comfort and 27 per cent increased cargo space ..... more Kia Optima ready for local release 21st January, 2011 The new generation Kia Optima (formerly known as the Magentis in Australia) made its world premiere at the New York Motor Show in April 2010 and now it's about to arrive in local Kia dealerships. It is a completely new design of Kia's mid-size sedan ..... more Hear Chris Goodsell Talk Motoring On Radio & Internet ..... more Kia Rio: the next generation 12th January, 2011 Longer, lower and wider than the existing Rio, the new model is designed to inject emotional appeal into the B-segment, targeting progressive, energetic consumers in the 25-to-49 age range ..... more Kia KV7 Concept 11th January, 2011 Conceived as a modern-day “activity van,” the Kia KV7 concept challenges the notion that vans are strictly for family transportation and reveals a vision for a vehicle with the functionality to transport a large number of people and their belongings while also serving as a 'connected' social hub for groups of friends and adventure-seekers ..... more 2010: a bumper year of sales 6th January, 2011 “This is an exceptional outcome and is the second highest result on record and only the third time ever that the market exceeded more than one million sales,” FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar said ..... more Kia Picanto: more details 4th January, 2011 Completely redesigned and re-engineered, the new car has grown in overall length and wheelbase and is set to redefine its position as one of the most competitive vehicles in its segment ..... more Top of page Preview: Kia KV7 Concept 24th December, 2010 For the past several years Kia Motors’ design-led transformation has been delivering production vehicles – such as the Soul, Cerato Koup and Sportage – that bear a very close resemblance to the original concept designs that preceded them ..... more Kia's all-new Picanto 7th December, 2010 It will compete in Europe's crowded "A" segment and, following recent Kia trends, the new model is designed to stand out from the crowd! ..... more Kia Optima Hybrid 2nd December, 2010 Arriving in Kia dealer showrooms in the United States early next year, the 2011 Optima Hybrid is the brand’s first-ever hybrid for North America and uses a “full parallel hybrid system” to deliver a unique blend of performance ..... more Kia Sorento update 9th November, 2010 Kia's medium sized SUV, Sorento, has received a 2011 model year refresh across the range with a list of enhancements ranging from Bluetooth technology to leather wrapped instrument cluster housing ..... more Kia at SEMA 4th November, 2010 Arriving at the gateway to the 2010-2011 automotive show season, Kia Motors America (KMA) is ready to roll at this week's 2010 SEMA Show in Las Vegas (USA) with a diverse and attention-grabbing line-up of concept and production-intent vehicles to further showcase Kia’s eye-catching new generation of vehicles ..... more Kia Soul with "Flex-Fuel" 3rd November, 2010 Kia’s Soul Flex is the first Korean FFV (Flexible Fuel Vehicle) which can run on an ethanol-petrol mixture, 100% ethanol or 100% petrol. It is especially designed for the Brasilian market, where ‘flex’ models account for more than 85% of the new car sales ..... more Kia prepares for Optima release 20th October, 2010 “This is a truly stylish and classy design statement that underscores the reasons why Kia is one of the fastest growing brands in the automotive world,” Kia Motors Australia COO Tony Barlow said ..... more Kia Cerato hatch released 15th October, 2010 Kia is introducing a third member of the Cerato range – the 5-door Hatchback, to strengthen its representation in what is arguably the world’s most important market sector – the ultra-competitive small passenger vehicle or C-segment ..... more Kia at Paris Motor Show 23rd September, 2010 Kia’s 2010 Paris Motor Show stand will major on striking design and new technologies. Taking centre stage and making its world premiere will be the eye-catching, compact and unique electric POP concept ..... more Kia Sportage named “2010 Top Safety Pick” by IIHS 19th August, 2010 Arriving in Kia showrooms in the U.S. now, Sportage received the organisation’s top honour by earning “Good” ratings – the highest achievable – in frontal, side, rear and rollover impact crash safety tests ..... more New Kia Sportage released 11th August, 2010 Longer, wider and lower than the previous model, the all-new design successfully retains the key SUV features – the command drive position, heightened sense of security and powerful road presence – which made the outgoing second generation Kia Sportage so popular ..... more Kia release Limited Edition Cerato sedan 29th July, 2010 The ‘Kia Cerato Limited’ boasts all the great features of the standard SLi Package, plus several unique enhancements including leather seats, electric sunroof, body kit and rear spoiler ..... more Kia Sportage - looking at the design 30th June, 2010 “I want to give Kia global appeal, and I want that appeal to be about design above all else – the new Sportage is a major step towards achieving that goal” says Peter Schreyer, Kia’s Chief Design Officer ..... more Mobility solutions from Freedom and Kia 27th June, 2010 Freedom Motors Australia is giving disabled people greater freedom and confidence in their daily lives through their quality conversion of people movers and other vehicles for wheelchair access ..... more ROAD TEST Kia Sportage 27th June, 2010 Kia Carnival facelift 16th June, 2010 Since its launch towards the end of 2005, the current model Kia Carnival has dominated the people mover segment, finishing each year as Australia's top-selling people mover ..... more Globally, Kia sales continue to rise 8th June, 2010 Kia Motors Corporation announced today its global sales figures for May 2010, recording a total of 175,098 units sold. This figure represents a year-on-year increase of 23.4% ..... more Kia sales up (again) 6th June, 2010 Cerato continues to impress with new vehicle sales up 14.6% compared to May last year and up 34.9% when compared to 2009 year to date figures ..... more Kia helps Healthy Harold reach regional NSW 25th May, 2010 A national education programme will be able to expand its offering in regional NSW with the support of Kia Motors Australia ..... more Increased sales continue for Kia 7th May, 2010 The popularity of Kia Motors Australia continued to increase in April with year-to-date sales figures up 23.8% compared to the same period last year according to April VFACTS figures ..... more Kia Forte is 'Top Safety Pick' by IIHS in the US 23rd April, 2010 Following in the footsteps of the 2010 Soul urban passenger vehicle, Kia Forte (known as 'Cerato' in Australia) has been recognised by the US' Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) with a 2010 'Top Safety Pick' award in the Small Car category ..... more Kia's top quarter 20th April, 2010 Kia Motors Australia has continued its strong start to 2010 posting year-to-date sales figures which are up 27.8% when compared to the same period last year ..... more Kia reveal the Cerato hatchback 2nd April, 2010 Making its world premiere in New York this week-end is the Kia Cerato five-door hatchback. Keeping in line with the stylish and practical Cerato compact sedan and Cerato Koup, the new five-door adds another attractive option to the Cerato 'family' ..... more New Kia Optima revealed 2nd April, 2010 From the distinctive sweeping chrome accent that stretches through the C pillars to the sleek 'greenhouse' and flared wheel arches, every inch of the Optima projects a distinguished and refined style and extreme attention to detail ..... more Kia Venga wins red dot design award 16th March, 2010 Kia Venga has won the coveted red dot design award, marking the second prize the car maker’s newest B-segment MPV has won since its launch ..... more New Kia Magentis: more details 14th March, 2010 It’s a car that people will simply not expect from Kia ..... more Kia new Sportage 5th March, 2010 The unveiling of the third generation Sportage continues Kia Motors aggressive product refresh strategy to deliver new design with quality, safety and value to buyers ..... more Kia opens US factory 1st March, 2010 Mass production of the all-new 2011 Kia Sorento CUV began in November with the product going on sale in the US in January. Selling 7,398 units in its first month, the 2011 Sorento was Kia’s best-selling vehicle in January ..... more New Kia Magentis: first details 22nd February, 2010 This new model will stretch the influence the highly successful Korean brand has on the Australian market! ..... more Kia Ray Plug In Hybrid Concept 11th February, 2010 Kia have chosen America's Chicago Motor Show to debut it's 'Ray' plug-in hybrid concept ..... more All-new Kia Sportage images released 3rd February, 2010 Kia will unveil the all-new Sportage at the Geneva Motor Show in March ..... more Top of page All-new Kia Cerato Koup released 24th September, 2009 Building on the success on the new Cerato sedan launched locally in January 2009, the Cerato Koup offers performance, ride and handling that is even more responsive than the sedan. The Cerato Koup is destined to broaden the appeal of Kia to a new group of consumers who seek the particular appeal of two-door cars ..... more Value packed coupe for Kia 18th September, 2009 Many features are a highlight of this new car. Foremost is the price. The manufacturer's list price (excluding dealer charges and state/territory statutory charges) is from $23,690 (manual transmission) and $25,690 (automatic) ..... more Euro NCAP: Five Stars for Kia Sorento 27th August, 2009 The all-new Kia Sorento, due in Australia in early 2010, has been awarded the maximum 5-star safety rating in the latest Euro NCAP crash test results, placing the Sorento amongst the safest SUVs on the road ..... more Kia's new Venga 26th August, 2009 Kia’s stylish and uniquely spacious new premium B-segment contender will be named ‘Venga’ when it goes on sale across Europe later this year and in the UK early in 2010 ..... more Extra value with Limited Edition Kia Cerato 17th August, 2009 Kia has announced a Limited Edition Cerato with features valued at $1,200 being offered to customers at no extra cost for a limited time only ..... more Kia Soul earns another safety accolade 14th August, 2009 Kia's affordable car now adds a 2009 ‘Top Safety Pick’ from America's highly respected Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) to its list of accomplishments ..... more Kia at Frankfurt Motor Show 13th August, 2009 With sales continually rising, Kia heads to the Frankfurt Motor Show full of confidence. In keeping with the Kia tradition, a surprise is sure to be a component of their stand at Germany's largest motor show ..... more Kia to share in joint focus on eco-friendly growth 9th August, 2009 Kia will be fully involved in this process with petrol and diesel hybrid vehicles set to follow the European introduction of its emission-reducing cee'd ISG models within the next two years. Kia is also working on plug-in hybrids and has some of the most advanced fuel cell vehicles operating anywhere in the world ..... more ROAD TEST Kia Soul  (petrol/manual) 6th August, 2009 Kia's new premium sedan 30th July, 2009 The new model, currently known by its code name VG, was shown in concept form at the Seoul Motor Show earlier this year and is set to replace the existing Opirus ..... more Kia Forte LPI Hybrid Revealed 19th July, 2009 Kia Motors has unveiled its first commercialised hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), the Forte Liquid Petroleum Injection (LPI) Hybrid in Seoul ..... more ROAD TEST Kia Cerato SLi 28th June, 2009 Kia Soul’ster awarded 2009 Concept Truck of the Year 24th June, 2009 A two-piece top enables passengers to expose the front and back seating areas independently, using 'elbow-grease' technology ..... more Kia Motors posts 11.5% increase in May global sales 17th June, 2009 Kia announced today that its global sales figures for May 2009 recorded a total of 141,949 units. This marks a year-on-year increase of 11.5% ..... more ROAD TEST Kia Soul 3  (petrol/automatic) 14th June, 2009 New Kia is a UK Soul sensation – 1,000 sold in 100 days 14th June, 2009 Kia's new Soul has reached a major milestone in the UK as the 1,000th was delivered just 100 days after the Soul went on sale across the UK ..... more Kia grows market share despite tighter Australian market 4th June, 2009 Kia has outperformed the Australian vehicle market and recorded positive growth for the first five months of 2009 in an industry that is down 19.2 per cent against the same time in 2008 ..... more Higher spec Kia Soul models gain 5-Star Euro NCAP safety rating 31st May, 2009 The all-new Kia Soul urban crossover (in Western European specification) has been awarded a 5-Star safety rating (the maximum score) in the latest Euro-NCAP crash test results ..... more ROAD TEST Kia Soul 3  (diesel/automatic) 20th May, 2009 Kia sales soar in eight countries during April 14th May, 2009 Outperforming the overall market, Kia's new car sales in Western Europe achieved significant increases in April, seeing major improvements in eight countries ..... more ROAD TEST Kia Sorento EX 5th May, 2009 Kia introduces Koup 10th April, 2009 With performance-inspired, aggressive and sleek styling, Kia overnight debuted the Koup production vehicle at the 2009 New York Motor Show ..... more REVIEW Kia Soul 5th April, 2009 All-New Kia Soul Released Locally 3rd April, 2009 The eagerly awaited all-new Kia Soul marks a revolutionary expansion of the Kia product line-up and redefines the 'personality' of cars, with the so-called Generation Y and the young-at-heart firmly in its sights ..... more Kia's 2010 Sorento Debuts At Seoul Motor Show 2nd April, 2009 Longer and lower, the new Sorento brings sleek styling and a futuristic touch to the world of the urban SUV. With its longer front overhang, wedge profile ..... more Kia wins a 2009 ‘red dot’ Design Award 22nd March, 2009 Kia’s stylish and fun urban cross-over vehicle, the Soul, has become the first Korean car ever to receive the prestigious recognition of a design award from the world renowned ‘red dot’ awards ..... more New Kia No 3 concept car stars at Geneva Show 13th March, 2009 The concept features a unique extended windscreen and panorama glass roof with a diagonal supporting bar, an automatic sun visor and the evolving 'face of Kia' ..... more Kia Soul - redefines the 'personality' of cars 3rd March, 2009 With 61 factory and locally fitted options available, no two Souls seen in the street are likely to be the same, thus expressing the individuality of their owners ..... more Kia Launches Grand Carnival Diesel 27th February, 2009 The latest Grand Carnival offers the same pulling capacity as its V6 engined 'brother' but with the added benefit of 33 per cent lower fuel efficiency ..... more It’s a magic number for Kia! The No 3. Concept To Debut In Geneva 25th February, 2009 Keeping up its reputation for showing concepts that lead to reality, Kia is playing the numbers game at the Salon de l’Automobile (Geneva Motor Show) in Switzerland next week with the debut of the all-new No 3 concept ..... more Kia Motors donates mobile clinic in Ethiopia 19th February, 2009 Kia Motors today announced the donation of a mobile clinic in Ethiopia, one of the world’s least developed countries, as a means to help improve maternal and infant health ..... more Kia's New Concept Car For Geneva 8th February, 2009 Redefining the MPV genre, Kia will introduce "a great looking MPV" with a unique glass roof treatment to provide a cool and spacious automotive 'powerhouse' ..... more REVIEW Kia Cerato 8th February, 2009 Kia's All-New Cerato Arrives 26th January, 2009 Modern and dynamic styling, class leading power, class leading 4.5 stars Green Vehicle rating, six airbags standard in every model, iPod® compatible audio system, European-standard ride and handling, 5 year/unlimited kilometre warranty for private buyers, great value and a low entry price - the all new Kia Cerato has it all ..... more Europe's Kia cee'd Adds ISG (Idle Stop & Go) Option 21st January, 2009 Made in Europe, the C-segment cee'd ISG cars are the first Kia production models to benefit from the Korean Corporation's continuing and massive investment in eco-friendly technologies for the future ..... more Kia Showcases Soul'ster In Detroit 15th January, 2009 Soul'ster is an efficient front-drive car based on the Kia Soul production model, which made its world debut at the 2008 Mondial de l'Automobile in Paris in October 2008 ..... more Top of page ROAD TEST Kia Rondo EXL 30th December, 2008 Kia Motors wins 2008 Design Award 22nd December, 2008 Kia Motors received the President's Award for Design at the 10th annual Korea Design Awards in recognition of the company's design-centred management strategy implemented in multiple stages since 2005 ..... more Kia At Los Angeles Motor Show 25th November, 2008 Kia reveals next generation Borrego fuel cell vehicle and production model Soul at the 2008 Los Angeles Motor Show ..... more New Cerato Introduces New 'Face' For Kia 16th October, 2008 The new model will bridge the gap between small and medium cars with the space, performance, features and value that many Australian car buyers are seeking, without having to pay more for a medium sized car ..... more Kia Motors Heralds Four Premieres At Paris Motor Show 26th September, 2008 Soul presents consumers with such a broad selection of styling, comfort and equipment choices, that it redefines the concept of freedom. It's a brand new urban car packed full of liberating ideas ..... more Kia UK In The Pink 23rd September, 2008 After upgrading her Kia with the family-owned dealership and making her request, her dream has become a reality after picking up her newly sprayed Sorento ..... more Kia Confirms Engine Line-Up For Soul 11th September, 2008 The most powerful engine will be a 2-litre, four-cylinder petrol unit producing 106 kW at 6,000 rpm and 186 Nm of torque at 4,600 rpm ..... more ROAD TEST Kia Carnival 25th August, 2008 Sports Pack Adds Value To Kia Carnival 19th August, 2008 One of Australia's most affordable people-movers, the Kia Carnival, is now available for a limited time with up to $5,400 worth of extra equipment at no extra cost ..... more ROAD TEST Kia Grand Carnival 30th July, 2008 New Kia Sorento limited edition pack is perfect for your Global Circuit 28th July, 2008 Kia's popular Sorento mid-sized SUV, including the sought-after 2.5-litre CRDi models, is now available for a limited time with $3,400 worth of extra equipment that makes Sorento perfect for your next trip, whether it's circumnavigating the world or just going away for the weekend ..... more New Kia Soul to feature choice of three engines 18th July, 2008 Kia Motors Corporation has confirmed that its all-new production model, the Kia Soul, will be marketed globally with a choice of three highly efficient engines (depending on individual markets), when it goes on sale in early 2009 ..... more Kia Motors celebrates opening of US corporate HQ and design centre 9th July, 2008 It consists of a design studio, a modelling studio that allows up to eight vehicle models to be worked on simultaneously ..... more Kia Soul production model will retain concept's name 25th May, 2008 Kia Motors Corporation has confirmed that its all-new production model will retain the spirit and name of the SOUL concept cars shown earlier this year at the Geneva Motor Show ..... more ROAD TEST Kia Magentis EX-L V6 14th May, 2008 Kia cee'd certified as 'environmentally-friendly' by TUV 7th May, 2008 As further evidence of its development as a global car maker, Kia Motors Corporation has now been presented with two significant international certificates which confirm that the design and manufacturing processes behind the successful Kia cee'd range of vehicles are, indeed, "environmentally friendly" ..... more REVIEW Kia Rondo 7 23rd April, 2008 Kia Rondo 7 Arrives Locally 20th April, 2008 Modern and dynamic styling, seven seats standard in every model, Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) standard in every model, European-standard ride and handling, the versatility and seating positions of an SUV, flexible seating arrangements, 5-year/unlimited kilometre warranty for private buyers, great value and a low entry price - the all new Kia Rondo 7 is a car without equal in the Australian car market ..... more No Dipsticks At Kia 4th April, 2008 Under the title "Kia announces new KEE_wii concept with revolutionary wireless driving system" Kia Motors in England issued a media release (1st April, 2008), which almost certainly would have proved why we have 'dipsticks' in this crazy world. Don't be taken in by it, as it was just an exceptionally clever April Fools Prank (or AFP for short) ..... more New Kia K2900 CRDi - New 'Workhorse' 27th March, 2008 With more than 4,200 units sold in Australia since introduction, the K2700's popularity demanded that any replacement for that truck would need to promise something fairly special. The new K2900 CRDi delivers on that promise - it's the new age workhorse for tradespeople and small fleet users ..... more ROAD TEST Kia Sportage V6 25th March, 2008 Kia Debuts 2009 Magentis In New York 24th March, 2008 Kia Motors America (KMA) has unveiled the 2009 Magentis mid-size sedan at the New York Motor Show. The refreshed Magentis (Optima in US) offers a completely modified exterior, which offers a more aggressive, dynamic style than previous models and is outfitted with a new engine that provides more power and better fuel economy ..... more Kia KOUP Concept Revealed In New York 23rd March, 2008 Kia Motors Corporation pulled the covers off its latest design statement in New York. Originating from the Kia Motors America Design Centre in California, the striking KOUP concept demonstrates Kia’s ‘Power to Surprise’ philosophy ..... more Kia SOUL Concepts And eco_cee'd Appear In Geneva 10th March, 2008 The concept cars - SOUL Diva, SOUL Burner and SOUL Searcher - were designed by Kia's European design team under the guidance of Kia's Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer. The trio of concept cars is closely related to a new production car which will make its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show in October ..... more Kia Picanto Sports - Sporty, Fuel-Efficient Fun For Urban Lifestyles 29th February, 2008 Kia is displaying the Picanto Sports, the sportiest version of Kia's fuel-efficient and fun A-segment car, at the 2008 Melbourne Motor Show. Kia is considering this tiny car for the Australian market ..... more Factory Five-Year Warranty Expected To Boost Kia Resale Values 22nd February, 2008 As larger volumes of Kia's 2008 model range start filtering into the market, expect to see Kia resale values begin to rise ..... more Three SOUL Concepts To Reveal 'Fun' Side Of Kia 20th February, 2008 Three new SOUL concept cars to be unveiled by Kia at the Geneva Motor Show in March will reveal a whole new 'fun' side to the Korean brand ..... more Kia Rondo Confirmed For May Release 11th February, 2008 Kia is about to release a new model in Australia. The Rondo a 'crossover' vehicle is set for a release this coming May ..... more ROAD TEST Kia Magentis EX-L 8th February, 2008 Kia Quality And Value Now Matched By 5-Year Factory Warranty 4th February, 2008 Kia's rapid move to greater quality and reliability as a match for its value has provided another reason for new car buyers to consider Kia with the recent announcement that all Kia vehicles sold from 1st January, 2008, will be covered by a standard, factory-backed five-year warranty ..... more Kia Motors Extends Major Commitment To Australian Open 31st January, 2008 Kia Motors Corporation has extended its multi-million dollar sponsorship of the Australian Open tennis tournament as the major sponsor until 2013 in a new deal which includes broadcasting the tournament to fans at public locations in China as well as Australia ..... more Kia Shows All-New Borrego V8 In Detroit 14th January, 2008 Kia Motors Corporation, from South Korea, has announced the world debut of the all-new Borrego SUV (to be known as "Mohave" in some markets) at the 2008 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, further bolstering its ever growing product line-up ..... more Top of page ROAD TEST Kia K2700 13th December, 2007 Adelaide-To-Sydney On One Tank Of Diesel - Kia SUVs Meet The Challenge 7th December, 2007 Far away from the hype of the Greenfleet technology class of the World Solar Challenge in October, Kia's new diesel SUVs - the Sorento CRDI and Sportage CRDi - have achieved an amazing feat of fuel economy, being driven from Adelaide to Sydney using just one tank of diesel each! ..... more TOW TEST Kia Sorento 30th November, 2007 Kia Awarded "Top Safety Pick" By America's IIHS 22nd November, 2007 Sedona (known as Carnival in Australia) was selected by America's IIHS as one of only 34 vehicles to earn the "Top Safety Pick" award for its impressive performance with top ratings in frontal, side and rear impact crash tests ..... more Kia Shows KND-4 Concept Vehicle in Los Angeles 18th November, 2007 Kia Motors America (KMA) has unveiled the KND-4 compact SUV concept vehicle at the Los Angeles Motor Show ..... more Kia's V6/V8 SUV For 2008 8th November, 2007 Borrego will be available with either a V6 engine or the company’s first V8 offering (in some markets), which will also boast Kia’s largest towing capacity to date ..... more Kia at SEMA 1st November, 2007 Kia Motors America (KMA) displayed its sporty new concept vehicle, the Spectra 5 SX concept, at this year’s SEMA Show in Las Vegas, USA ..... more Kia plans to market 'eco' versions of cee'd models for Europe 24th October, 2007 Kia Motors has confirmed that it will add 'eco' versions of the Kia cee'd model to its European product line-up early in 2009 ..... more Kia Rondo - The "Urban Recreation Vehicle" 12th October, 2007 Kia is previewing the forthcoming Rondo at the 2007 Sydney Motor Show in response to a new segment dawning in the Australian car market - the "crossover" ..... more Kia to supply Slovakia Police 25th September, 2007 Kia Motors has been appointed ‘Official Supplier’ to the Slovakian Ministry of the Interior and awarded the contract to supply locally manufactured Kia vehicles to the country’s police forces until 2010 ..... more Kee concept heralds ‘new look’ for the future of Kia 11th September, 2007 Peter Schreyer, Chief Design Officer Kia Motors Corporation, talks about the all-new Kia Kee V6 2+2 sports coupe concept unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show today ..... more New Kia Sportage - Ready For Action 2nd September, 2007 The new Kia Sportage range, launched yesterday, continues Kia Motors Australia's revamped SUV strategy of more choice in engines and equipment than ever before, while still delivering quality, safety and value in SUVs that have always appealed to Australian buyers ..... more ROAD TEST Kia Grand Carnival 30th August, 2007 ROAD TEST Kia Rio LX 24th August, 2007 New Kia Sorento CRDi & 3.3 V6 15th August, 2007 The new Kia Sorento range epitomises Kia Motors Australia's revamped SUV strategy by offering more choice in engines and equipment than ever before, while still delivering quality, safety and value ..... more Kia To Reveal Sports Coupe Concept Car At Frankfurt Motor Show 20th July, 2007 Kia Motors Corporation has confirmed that the company's all-new sports coupe concept car will make its world premiere at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show in mid-September ..... more Kia Carnival And Sorento Earn Crash Rating Praise 16th July, 2007 Kia continues to build its global reputation for delivering quality and safety with strong value, this time receiving high praise - a 'Good' rating - from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) of the US for the performance in rear impact collisions of the Kia Carnival people mover (known in the US as the Sedona) and the Sorento mid-size SUV .... more Royal College Of Art Honours Kia Design Chief 9th July, 2007 Kia Motors Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer, has become only the third automotive designer to receive an Honorary Doctorate from the Royal College of Art (RCA) in the United Kingdom in recognition of his contribution to automotive design .... more Kia Betters Non-Premium Average In JD Power 2007 Initial Quality Study 15th June, 2007 Kia Motors Corporation has outperformed the non-premium average for the first time in the JD Power and Associates' 2007 Initial Quality Study™ (IQS), a survey of the number of problems new vehicle owners in the USA experience after three months of ownership ..... more Kia Carnival Named Most Affordable People-Mover To Run 30th May, 2007 The Kia Carnival is the most affordable people-mover to own and run according to the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria's (RACV) annual survey of vehicle operating costs, mirroring the Carnival's performance in the 2006 RACV survey ..... more Kia Opens Slovakian Plant 26th April, 2007 Kia Motors Corporation hosted an opening ceremony at its Zilina plant in Slovakia this week to mark the opening of Kia’s first ever European factory ..... more Kia Ex_Cee’d Cabrio Concept 23rd February, 2007 Kia’s all-new ex_cee’d cabrio concept car will be premiered at the 77th Salon de l’Automobiles in Geneva, Switzerland ..... more Top of page The Frankness of EuroNCAP 24th December, 2006 Claes Tingvall, Euro NCAP Chairman, said "Manufacturers like Hyundai and Kia are now a long way behind the front-runners and it is high time that they realise that such poor results are unacceptable.” ..... more Kia Kue concept car 20th December, 2006 Kia Motors Corporation has released a preview sketch of the all-new 'Kue' concept car, which will make its world premiere at the upcoming Detroit Motor Show ..... more New Kia Carnival 13th November, 2006 The new Kia Carnival is smaller than the Kia Grand Carnival, which was launched earlier this year ..... more Kia Sportage Diesel for 2007 8th November, 2006 Kia Motors Australia previewed a diesel version of its Sportage compact SUV at the Sydney Motor Show, ahead of a planned introduction in mid-2007 ..... more Face-lifted Kia Sorento now offers more 30th October, 2006 Kia has released a limited edition version of its new Sorento to launch the recent facelift of its mid-size SUV model ..... more Kia Pro_Ceed Concept Car 21st September, 2006 Kia has revealed the first image of its latest concept car that is scheduled to debut at the Paris Motor Show next week ..... more Peter Schreyer To Head Kia Design Teams 31st July, 2006 Kia Motors Corporation announced today that it has appointed automotive industry designer Peter Schreyer to the new position of Chief Design Officer ..... more Kia's New European Car 23rd July, 2006 Kia Motors Corporation issued the first photographs of its all-new European car – code named ‘ED’ – at the British International Motor Show in London ..... more New Kia Carens Makes Debut In Spain 28th May, 2006 The all-new Kia Carens compact MPV made its world premiere at the Madrid Motor Show on Friday ..... more Kia Reaffirms Australian Ambitions 26th April, 2006 Australian Kia dealers have expressed their concerns about the dodgy payments scandal which has embroiled the Hyundai Group in South Korea ..... more All-New Kia Carens 14th April, 2006 Kia Motors Corporation yesterday issued the first official photos of its all-new Carens compact MPV ..... more Kia To Unveil New Carens In Madrid 3rd April, 2006 Kia Motors has announced its all-new Carens compact MPV will make its world premiere at the forthcoming Madrid Motor Show ..... more Kia Motors Announces Plans For U.S. Plant 13th March, 2006 Kia today announced plans to construct a $1.2 billion (USD) automotive assembly and manufacturing plant in West Point, Troup County, Georgia, USA ..... more Kia Cee’d Concept Car 17th February, 2006 Kia will unveil a new concept car at the Geneva Motor Show. The show car, named Cee’d (pronounced ‘seed’) ..... more Kia at Geneva Motor Show 6th February, 2006 Kia Motors Corporation will reveal three new vehicles when the 76th Salon de l’Automobiles, one of Europe’s most prestigious motor shows ..... more Top of page Kia Sorento Completes Expedition 28th December, 2005 Christer Gerlach, the record-breaking Swedish driver and adventurer, successfully completed the Sorento Around the World Expedition¡ - a 27,000-kilometre global adventure ..... more Kia's New Grand Carnival 26th December, 2005 With the launch of the Grand Carnival on 1st January 2006, Kia will start the new year with another assault on the people mover market with an all-new vehicle that is larger in every way ..... more Kia Takes The Soul Train To Detroit 17th December, 2005 The Kia Soul concept car will be revealed to the world when America's biggest car show opens its doors in Detroit on 9th January 2006 ..... more Kia Sidewinder Hits L.A. 12th December, 2005 Kia Designer, Marc Mainville, has entered his radical design for the Kia Sidewinder concept into the Los Angeles Automotive Show design contest ..... more Kia Hatches A New Cerato 25th October, 2005 Kia is looking to boost its Cerato sales in Australia with the launch of a five door hatch ..... more Christer Gerlach has arrived in Korea 11th October, 2005 Kia Motors Corporation announced yesterday that Christer Gerlach, the pioneering Swedish driver and adventurer, has arrived in Korea ..... more Kia Cerato sedan wins major award in Canada 21st December, 2004 The Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) has recently crowned the 2005 Kia Cerato sedan as the Economy Car of the Year for 2005 ..... more Cerato Opens The Next Chapter On Kia's Australian Success Story 24th May, 2004 Kia may already be Australia's fastest growing brand, with its 70 per cent increase in sales earning it a place in Australia's top ten brands, but it won't be resting on its laurels in the second half of 2004 with the arrival of the all-new Kia Cerato ..... more Top of page About | Car Clubs | Great Drives | Home | News | Road Ramblings | Road Tests | Subscribe | Top Drive ©   2004 - 2015   All rights reserved.   Next Car Pty. 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